QMI Agency

Don Cherry still thinks the NHL will be back in the new year, even though commissioner Gary Bettman was madder than he's ever seen him when negotiations broke off late last week.

Cherry told told Sportsnet 590 The Fan Monday that he thinks the labour dispute between the league and the NHLPA has gotten personal, at least from Bettman's perspective.

"I'm not saying he was crying or anything, but he actually had water on the sides of his eyes, he was so mad," Cherry said. "I've never seen him like that, and I know him personally. I think they have to hold him back and he's going to have to bite his lip a little bit because it's getting personal right now."

Despite that, the Coach's Corner star said he expects the NHL to return in January.

But it would see Grapes has changed his tune following comments he tweeted out last Thursday.

“Looks like I will see a lot more (Toronto) Marlies, Junior and Minor Midget games this year,” Cherry wrote.

“I have known Gary Bettman since he was named commissioner. He was almost shaking. That was no act."

The NHL cancelled games through Dec. 30 on Monday, representing 43% of a regular season that was slated to start in October.